operate

S2 W1

BrE /ˈɒpəreɪt/ AmE /ˈɑːpəreɪt/

verb en → es

past operated pp operated ing operating

1 WORK MACHINE [transitive, T + obj] B1

to control and use a machine or piece of equipment

operar, manejar

  • operate something

Collocations operate machinery · operate a computer

  • He operates the machine with great skill.

    Él opera la máquina con gran habilidad.

2 PERFORM SURGERY [transitive, T + obj] B2

to perform a medical operation on someone

realizar una cirugía, operar (a alguien)

  • operate somebody

Collocations operate a patient · operate an emergency case

  • The surgeon will operate on the patient tomorrow.

    El cirujano operará al paciente mañana.

3 FUNCTION [intransitive] B1

to work properly and effectively; to function

funcionar, funcionar correctamente

  • operate well/badly

Collocations the system operates smoothly · the machine doesn't operate properly

  • The computer is operating slowly today.

    El ordenador está funcionando lentamente hoy.

1 CONTROL [transitive, T + obj] B2

to control or manage a business, organization, etc.

administrar, dirigir

  • operate something

Collocations operate a company · operate a business

  • She operates her own small business.

    Ella administra su propio pequeño negocio.

2 TRADE [intransitive] C1

to buy and sell goods or services, especially on a large scale

operar en el mercado, comerciar

  • operate in the market

Collocations operate internationally · operate on a large scale

  • The company operates worldwide.

    La empresa opera en todo el mundo.

Phrasal verbs

operate on SURGERY B2

operar a alguien (en cirugía)

  • The doctor will operate on the patient tomorrow.

    El médico operará al paciente mañana.

operate out of LOCATION C1

operar desde un lugar, tener sede en

  • The company operates out of New York.

    La empresa opera desde Nueva York.

Idioms

operate on a shoestring budget C1

operar con un presupuesto muy limitado

  • The charity operates on a shoestring budget.

    La caridad opera con un presupuesto muy limitado.

operate in the black C1

operar en ganancia, tener beneficios

  • The company is now operating in the black.

    La empresa ahora opera con ganancias.

operate on a need-to-know basis C1

operar sobre una base de necesidad de saber

  • Information is given out on a need-to-know basis.

    La información se proporciona sobre una base de necesidad de saber.